Ascent Trip Report

The actual summit is a rocky pinnacle rising about 10 feet above the level of the viewing platform. I was there on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, with 4 of the 5 major volcanoes noted on signs visible, and many tourists milling about. I felt a bit funny about scrambling up to the top of the pinnacle, even though it looked like basic and easy class 3. Also, there was a gap in the protective fence that offered easy access, and no signs prohibiting any climbing, so after hemming and hawing for a bit I quickly scrambled up the side facing the final staircase and tagged the summit. A tourist couple coming down the stairs looked at me funny, but I told them I was a "rock climber" ("scrambler" would have been more accurate) and I was not jumping any fences or disobeying any signs. They didn't seem to care.

Other than that, this is a very easy and scenic peak with good paved road access and a short paved trail to the summit pinnacle.